Learn Portuguese (Portugal): O senhor precisa do dicionário?

O senhor precisa do dicionário?

Do you (formal, m) need the dictionary?

Breakdown of O senhor precisa do dicionário?

o senhor

the gentleman / you (formal, m)

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Questions & Answers about O senhor precisa do dicionário?

Why is it do dicionário instead of just de dicionário?

The verb precisar (to need) must be followed by the preposition de. Since we are talking about the dictionary (o dicionário), the word de merges with the word o to create the contraction do.

Why does the sentence use O senhor to mean "you"?

In Portugal, o senhor (literally "the gentleman") is the standard polite way to say "you" to a man. You use it in formal situations, like speaking to an older person, a customer, or a stranger.

If the sentence means "do you need", why isn't the verb conjugated for "you"?

Formal pronouns like o senhor and a senhora use the "he/she/it" verb forms. Even though you are speaking directly to someone, the grammar treats it as if you are saying "does the gentleman need".

Can I drop O senhor and just ask Precisa do dicionário?

Yes, you can drop it if it is already obvious who you are talking to. However, because the verb precisa can also mean "he needs" or "she needs", keeping o senhor helps prevent confusion and sounds very polite.